Bridgeport cop's accidental shooting sparks rally

Published 9:30 am, Sunday, December 22, 2013

BRIDGEPORT (AP) -- Bridgeport residents plan to rally outside city police headquarters to protest the department's response to an accidental shooting by a city officer.

Protest organizers told the Connecticut Post that they believe Officer Juan Santiago should have been charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm and reckless endangerment, and it appears police are holding themselves above the law. The rally is planned for 5:30 p.m. Monday.

Santiago shot himself in the leg at crowded bagel shop last Tuesday. The Post reported that he pointed someone else's gun at the floor and pulled the trigger, apparently not knowing it was loaded. No one else was hurt. Santiago is out on sick leave recovering.

City police turned over the investigation of the incident to state police, amid demands by state NAACP officials.